Anxiety and Panic Attacks In Emphysema ... - Mind Publications

getting better, such as mucus clearing, cough subsiding, breath calming down and
wondering how it all got better.
Keep a calm attitude even when you are experiencing troubling symptoms by
constantly telling yourself something like "If I get more angry, frustrated, anxious or
depressed, it won't be helpful. If I stay positive and somehow manage to get a smile
on my face or find something funny to laugh about, I will be helping the healing
forces.”
Yes, there is something in the age old saying, "Mind over matter!"
Question 5
I worry far too much. I can't remember not worrying about something or
another. I'm afraid a worry quickly spreads its tentacles and strangles me. How do I
break a pattern that is so ingrained in me and keep getting worse as my lung disease
progresses. I can generally manage my worries but when I get another respiratory
infection and don't feel well, it gets harder to fight the worries with positive
thoughts. I feel like I have no energy left to keep fighting the ugly beast of worry.
What should I do when my mind and body feel overwhelmed and tired?
Answer
Congratulate yourself for what you already have been doing to manage your
worries. You have been making some progress in controlling worries in spite of your
severe medical condition.
Let me now come to your question as to what to do. To begin with recognize that
"work of controlling worries" is energy saving and not energy wasting. Fighting with
the disease and the symptoms is very exhausting but the less energy you spend on
worries, fears, and distress over why it is happening to you is the energy you save to
do other work.
Here are four suggestions to get you started:
1. Come to terms with the "final stage of growth" that is, death.
Personally, I don't fear or feel bad about my death but I hope and pray that my last
phase is not too painful or too long.
2. Immerse yourself in spirituality and spiritual growth. Note that spirituality is
different from religion. For example, spiritual belief is that God is one but people and
religions call him (or her) by different names and that we are all one whether we see
ourselves one or not.
3. Don't try to "stop worrying!"
Instead, get really good in diverting your thoughts and emotions to something good
such as love and/or compassion.
When worry hits you, recognize it right away and say, "Worry! My old friend!" Right
ways start sending your love to each and every loved ones of yours or feeling
compassion and sending love for all the people you heard on radio or TV being
afflicted by floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, starvation, etc. Of, for example, pray for
everyone else you know or hear about being sick
4. Do some helping act for someone else, which you can do even when you are